Immigration New Zealand is implementing changes to ensure that students who finish a Master's degree after completing a Postgraduate Diploma do not lose their eligibility for a Post Study Work Visa.
Students who completed a 30-week Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) and then immediately advanced to a Master’s degree, but did not study in the Master's program for 30 weeks, can now seek a Post Study Work Visa (PSWV) based on their enrollment in the PGDip. This adjustment provides students with more flexibility in their academic pursuits and guarantees their ability to work after completing their studies.
If a student completes a qualification that qualifies for a PSWV and then promptly finishes a higher-level qualification (which is not eligible for a PSWV due to not meeting the minimum duration requirement), they have up to 12 months from the end of their student visa for the initial qualification to apply for a PSWV.
For students aiming for a 3-year PSWV, they must complete a minimum of 30 weeks of full-time study in New Zealand while enrolled in the Master’s degree program.
Applicants seeking a PSWV must possess a qualifying New Zealand qualification that has been studied full-time in New Zealand for the necessary minimum duration and must apply within the specified timeframe.
Changes to the list of qualifications Eligible for a Post Study Work Visa
The following changes are being made to align the list of qualifications eligible for a PSWV with the Green List:
PSWV applicants who qualify to teach at secondary school no longer require a Bachelor’s degree specialising in Science, Mathematics, Technology or Pacific Languages
Applicants who have completed graduate diplomas and meet the Teaching Council’s registration requirements are able to get a PSWV to work as a Primary or Intermediate school teacher
The New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6) with a strand in Mechanical Engineering has been added so Mechanical Engineering Technicians are eligible for a PSWV.